Systems and methods for determining patient temperature

ABSTRACT

A temperature probe includes a shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, and a tip disposed at the distal end. The probe also includes an infrared sensor configured to measure a temperature of a structure disposed proximate the shaft. The probe further includes a temperature sensor disposed distal to the infrared sensor. The temperature sensor is configured to measure a body cavity temperature of a patient.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for temperaturedetermination and, in particular, to systems and methods of determininga predicted patient temperature.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Measuring patient temperature is a common first step in diagnosingillnesses. Physicians commonly use a variety of methods for determiningpatient temperature including, for example, obtaining temperaturemeasurements with a thermometer. While thermometers utilizing mercuryhave been in existence for many years, modern thermometers typicallyemploy one or more electronic sensors configured to measure patienttemperature. Such sensors may take one or more measurements over arelatively short period of time. Based on these measurements, thethermometer may generate a predicted internal and/or core temperature ofthe patient. In generating this predicted temperature, the thermometermay make one or more assumptions regarding the temperature of theenvironment in which the thermometer is being utilized. For example, itis common practice to insert at least a portion of the thermometer intoa cover prior to taking temperature measurements. Known thermometers maythen sense the ambient temperature, and use this sensed ambienttemperature in determining a patient's core temperature.

Determining a patient's core temperature in this way may produceinaccurate results. For example, the covers utilized with suchthermometers are often stored in locations having an ambient temperaturedifferent than the ambient temperature of the examination room, doctor'soffice, and/or other patient temperature measurement locations. As aresult, variations in the temperature of the cover itself may causesignificant error in the patient temperature determination. In an effortto minimize the effect of such error, modern thermometers may utilizealgorithms that estimate this divergence from ambient temperature. Suchestimates, however, may introduce additional error into the patienttemperature determination, thereby reducing the accuracy of suchdeterminations.

The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towardovercoming the deficiencies of known thermometers described above.

SUMMARY

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a temperatureprobe includes a shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, and a tipdisposed at the distal end. The probe also includes an infrared sensorconfigured to measure a temperature of a structure disposed proximatethe shaft. The probe further includes a temperature sensor disposeddistal to the infrared sensor. The temperature sensor is configured tomeasure a body cavity temperature of a patient.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method ofdetermining a predicted patient temperature includes inserting atemperature probe into a probe cover, sensing a first temperature withthe probe indicative of a probe cover temperature, and inserting theprobe and the probe cover into a body cavity of a patient. The methodalso includes sensing a second temperature with the probe indicative ofa body cavity temperature, and calculating the predicted patienttemperature based on the first and second sensed temperatures.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method ofdetermining a predicted patient temperature includes inserting atemperature probe into a probe cover disposed within a storagecontainer, sensing a first temperature with the probe indicative of astorage container temperature, and inserting the probe and the probecover into a body cavity of a patient. The method also includes sensinga second temperature with the probe indicative of a body cavitytemperature, and calculating the predicted patient temperature based onthe first and second sensed temperatures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a temperature probe according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of a temperature measurement systemaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a cut away pictorial view of the portion of the temperaturemeasurement system shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary temperature probe 10 of the presentdisclosure. The temperature probe 10 may include, for example, a shaft18 connected to a handle 20. The shaft 18 may define a distal end 12 ofthe temperature probe 10, and the handle 20 may define a proximal end 14of the probe 10. The shaft 18 may also define an atraumatic tip 16disposed at the distal end 12. The tip 16 may be sufficiently roundedand/or otherwise configured so as not to cause injury to a patient uponat least partial insertion of the shaft 18 within one or more bodycavities of the patient. In an exemplary embodiment in which thetemperature probe 10 is utilized to measure, calculate, and/or otherwisedetermine a temperature of the patient, it is understood that such bodycavities may include the mouth, rectum, underarm, and/or other knownbody cavities from which it is convenient to sense temperature. Theshaft 18 and/or the handle 20 may be made from any material and/orcombinations of materials commonly used in medical and/or examinationprocedures. Such materials may include, for example, plastics, polymers,composites, stainless steel, and/or any other like materials. Suchmaterials may be suitable for repeated use and/or repeated sanitation.Accordingly, in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, thetemperature probe 10 and/or its components may be substantiallywaterproof. One or more waterproof seals may be included and/orotherwise utilized with components of the probe 10 to facilitate suchrepeated sanitation and/or use.

The handle 20 may include one or more operator interfaces 22. Suchoperator interfaces 22 may be configured to assist in performing one ormore functions of the temperature probe 10. For example, the operatorinterfaces 22 may comprise any combination of switches, buttons, levers,knobs, dials, keys, and/or other like components configured to activate,deactivate, manipulate, and/or otherwise control components of thetemperature probe 10. Such operator interfaces 22 may, for example,assist the user in toggling through and/or selecting one or more modesof operation of the temperature probe 10, enabling and/or disabling oneor more alarms or signals associated with operation of the probe 10,initiating a single substantially instantaneous temperature calculation,initiating a substantially continuous and/or repeating temperaturecalculation, and/or other like modes, functions, or operations.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the operator interfaces 22may be operatively connected to an ejector mechanism 26 disposedproximate a base 24 of the shaft 18. As will be described in greaterdetail below, at least a portion of the temperature probe 10 may beinserted into a probe cover 30 before and/or during use, and such anejector mechanism 26 may be configured to assist in removing the probecover 30 from the temperature probe 10. For example, the ejectormechanism 26 may comprise one or more fingers, hooks, shoulders, arms,tabs, and/or other like structures configured to assist in ejecting theprobe cover 30 from the base 24 of the shaft 18 after use. In anexemplary embodiment, one or more such ejector mechanisms 26 may bemovable with respect to the base 24 and/or the shaft 18. In suchexemplary embodiments, the ejector mechanisms 26 may be movable in, forexample, a direction substantially parallel to the shaft 18. Inadditional exemplary embodiments, the ejector mechanisms 26 may bemovable in an arcuate path relative to the shaft 18. Movement of theejector mechanisms 26 may assist in bending, flexing, and/or otherwisedeforming at least a portion of the probe cover 30. For example, theejector mechanisms 26 may be movable along one or more surfaces of theprobe cover 30, and such movement may assist in flexing at least aportion of the probe cover 30. Such flexing may ultimately overcome aretention force provided by one or more retention components (not shown)of the temperature probe 10, thereby releasing the probe cover 30 fromthe temperature probe 10.

In additional exemplary embodiments, one or more operator interfaces 22may be configured to assist in controlling one or more correspondingsensors associated with the temperature probe 10. For example, theoperator interfaces 22 may be operatively connected to first and secondsensors 32, 34 disposed on the shaft 18. In exemplary embodiments, thefirst and second sensors 32, 34 may be embedded within and/or otherwiseformed integrally with the shaft 18. In such exemplary embodiments, thesensors 32, 34 may be positioned just beneath an outer surface of theshaft 18 such that the shaft 18 may retain a substantially smooth,substantially cylindrical shape. In such exemplary embodiments, it isunderstood that the sensors 32, 34 may be electrically, operably, and/orotherwise connected to the operator interfaces 22 and/or othercomponents of the temperature probe 10 via electrical connectionsembedded within and/or running along a length of the shaft 18 beneaththe outer surface of the shaft 18.

In an exemplary embodiment, one or more of the sensors 32, 34 maycomprise any type of temperature sensor known in the art. For example,the sensors 32, 34 may be the same type of sensor. The sensors 32, 34may comprise different types of sensors configured to sense one or moredifferent characteristics of a patient. In an exemplary embodiment, atleast one of the first and second sensors 32, 34 may comprise athermocouple and/or a thermistor configured to sense a temperatureassociated with such a patient. For example, such a sensor may beconfigured to sense a temperature of the body cavity into which thetemperature probe 10 has been inserted. For example, in embodiments inwhich the shaft 18 of the temperature probe 10 is inserted into themouth of the patient, such a sensor may be utilized to sense atemperature of the mouth.

At least one of the sensors 32, 34 may also comprise an infraredtemperature sensor such as, for example, a thermopile and/or other likeinfrared-based temperature sensing components. Such a sensor may beconfigured to convert thermal energy into electrical energy, and maycomprise two or more thermocouples connected in series or in parallel.Such components may be configured to generate an output voltageproportional to a local temperature difference and/or temperaturegradient. In an exemplary embodiment in which the one or more of thesensors 32, 34 comprises a thermopile, the temperature probe 10 maycomprise, for example, an infrared temperature probe and/or other likeinfrared thermometer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the thermopile described above may beconfigured to assist in sensing a temperature of one or more additionalobjects positioned on and/or proximate the temperature probe 10. Forexample, such thermopiles may be configured to sense a temperature ofthe probe cover 30 upon insertion of the infrared temperature probe 10into the probe cover 30. For example, in an embodiment in which thefirst sensor 32 comprises a thermistor and/or a thermocouple, and thesecond sensor 34 comprises a thermopile, the first sensor 32 may beconfigured to sense a temperature of the body cavity of the patient, andthe second sensor 34 may be configured to sense a temperature of atleast a portion of the probe cover 30.

To assist the thermopile in sensing a temperature of the probe cover 30,at least a portion of the probe cover 30 may be roughened, etched,scribed, knurled, coated, and/or otherwise modified. Such a modifiedportion 44 of the probe cover 30 may assist in reducing an infraredradiation of the probe cover 30. For example, the modified portion 44may be characterized by an infrared radiation transmissivity that isless than an infrared radiation transmissivity of a remainder of theprobe cover 30. Thus, the modified portion 44 of the probe cover 30 maysubstantially block infrared radiation that impinges thereon.

In exemplary embodiments in which at least one of the sensors 32, 34comprises a thermopile, such a sensor may collect infrared radiationfrom the modified portion 44 once the probe cover 30 is disposed on theshaft 18. Such radiation may be emitted by the modified portion 44 andmay, thus, be measured by the thermopile. Upon receiving such returned(reflected) radiation from the modified portion 44, the thermopile mayutilize the return radiation to assist in measuring a temperature of theprobe cover 30 and/or the modified portion 44. In such an exemplaryembodiment, the thermopile of the second sensor 34 may be utilized tosense a temperature of the probe cover 30 while the thermocouple and/orthermistor of the first sensor 32 may be utilized to sense a temperatureof the body cavity of the patient. As will be described in greaterdetail below, the sensors 32, 34 may be operably, controllably,electrically, and/or otherwise connected to a controller 52. In such anexemplary embodiment, the controller 52 may be configured to assist incalculating a predicted patient temperature based on the temperaturessensed by the first and second sensors 32, 34.

In a further embodiment, an exemplary infrared temperature probe 10 mayutilize at least a portion of the thermal radiation emitted by thepatient and/or the body cavity of the patient into which the temperatureprobe 10 has been inserted in order to estimate, infer, calculate,and/or otherwise determine a predicted patient temperature. Such anexemplary temperature probe 10 may utilize signals received by at leastone of the first and second sensors 32, 34 to determine an amount ofinfrared radiation emitted by the patient. Using a known transmissivityand/or other characteristic of the patient, such infrared temperatureprobes 10 may be capable of determining a predicted patient temperature.

At least one of the sensors 32, 34 may additionally include at least onewindow, lens, and/or other like optical component 36 positionedproximate thereto. For example, such an optical component 36 may bedisposed substantially flush and/or coplanar with the outer surface ofthe shaft 18. In an exemplary embodiment in which the shaft 18 issubstantially cylindrical, such an optical component 36 may besubstantially curved so as to match the radius of curvature of the shaft18. Such optical components 36 may assist in, for example, focusingand/or transmitting infrared radiation between the thermopile and thebody cavity of the patient. Such optical components 36 may also assistin protecting the thermopile, thermocouple, thermister, and/or othersensor components during use of the temperature probe 10, and may assistin forming a substantially fluid tight compartment within the shaft 18so as to protect sensor components from contact with bodily fluids,cleaning solutions, and/or other liquids. It is understood that suchoptical components 36 may be substantially transparent to assist in thetransmission of infrared radiation.

One or more of the operator interfaces 22 may also be operably connectedto a heater 38 disposed proximate the distal end 12 of the temperatureprobe 10. Such a heater 38 may be, for example, a resistance heaterand/or any other like heating component utilized in medical deviceapplications. Such a heater 38 may be configured to assist in increasinga temperature of at least a portion of the shaft 18. For example, theheater 38 may be disposed within approximately 1 inch of the tip 16, andmay be configured to provide localized heating of the tip 16 and/or aportion of the distal end 12. The heater 38 may be configured toincrease the temperature of a portion of the shaft 18 to any knownand/or desired temperature. In exemplary embodiments, the heater 38 maybe configured to increase a portion of the probe 10 to a knowntemperature between approximately 90° F. and approximately 100° F. Infurther exemplary embodiments, the heater 38 may be configured toincrease the temperature of a portion of the probe 10 to a knowntemperature between approximately 92° F. and approximately 93° F.Although FIG. 1 illustrates the heater 38 being disposed at the distalend 12 opposite the first temperature sensor 32, it is understood that,in additional exemplary embodiments, the heater 38 may be disposeddistal to or proximal to the first sensor 32. In further exemplaryembodiments, the second sensor 34 may be desirably spaced from theheater 38 so as not to be affected by heat generated by the heater 38.In exemplary embodiments, the second sensor 34 may be disposed and/orspaced proximal to the heater 38, and such spacing may be desirablyselected so as to substantially thermally insulate the second sensor 34from the heater 38. As described above with respect to the sensors 32,34, the heater 38 may also be controllably and/or otherwise operativelyconnected to the controller 52 or one of the operator interfaces 22. Theheater 38 may be embedded within and/or otherwise disposed beneath theouter surface of the shaft 18 so as to avoid direct contact between, forexample, the heater 38 and the probe cover 30 during use. The heater 38may be desirably positioned at any depth and/or other location withinthe shaft 18 to assist in facilitating a desirable heat dissipationpattern at the distal end 12 of the temperature probe 10. Suchpositioning of the heater 38 may assist in heating the distal end 12 tothe desired temperature discussed above.

The handle 20 may also include one or more displays 54 operablyconnected to the controller 52. The display 54 may comprise, forexample, a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, a light emitting diode(LED) display, a digital read-out, and/or any other like componentsconfigured to communicate information to the user of the temperatureprobe 10. Such displays 54 may be configured to indicate, for example,one or more temperatures sensed by the sensors 32, 34, a temperature ofthe heater 38, one or more temperatures calculated based on signalsreceived from the one or more sensors 32, 34, and/or any otherinformation that may be useful during operation of the temperature probe10. The display 54 may be configured to communicate such informationsubstantially instantaneously and/or substantially continuouslydepending on the mode of operation of the temperature probe 10. Such adisplay 54 may also indicate whether or not the temperature probe 10and/or the heater 38 is turned on, and whether a probe cover 30 has beenconnected to the temperature probe 10. The display 54 may also beconfigured to indicate the mode of operation of the temperature probe 10(for example, continuous or instantaneous modes of temperaturecalculation), as well as whether one or more threshold temperatures,threshold temperature change rates, and/or other sensed metricthresholds have been met or exceeded. The display 54 may be, forexample, a substantially numerical digital display, and may also beconfigured to display any other typical operating information such as,for example a temperature vs. time trend line or other graphicaldepictions.

The temperature probe 10 may also include one or more signal devices(not shown) operably connected to the controller 52. Such signal devicesmay include, for example, one or more lights, LEDs, speakers, and/orother like devices configured to emit an audible and/or optical orsignal in response to a command or signal from the controller 52. Suchan alarm or other signal may be initiated by, for example, thecontroller 52 when the calculated temperature meets or exceeds athreshold temperature. In additional exemplary embodiments, such analarm or signal may be initiated during a substantially continuoustemperature calculation operation where the rate of patient temperaturechange meets or exceeds a predetermined temperature change ratethreshold. In additional exemplary embodiments, such signal/devices maybe disposed on and/or otherwise associated with the controller 52.

The controller 52 may be operably connected to the operator interfaces22, display 54, sensors 32, 34, heater 38, and/or other components ofthe temperature probe 10, and the controller 52 may be configured tocontrol the operation of such components. In an exemplary embodiment,the controller 52 may be configured to receive signals, information,measurements, and/or other data from the first and second sensors 32, 34of the temperature probe 10, and to calculate a predicted patienttemperature based on the information received. The controller 52 mayalso be configured to execute one or more commands and/or controlprograms. For example, the controller 52 may be programmed to initiateone or more alarms in response to calculating a patient temperature thatis greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold temperature. In anexemplary embodiment, such a threshold temperature may be approximately100° F. In addition, the controller 52 may be configured to initiatesuch an alarm during a substantially continuous temperature calculationoperation if the calculated temperature increases and/or decreases at arate that is greater than or equal to a predetermined thresholdtemperature change rate. The controller 52 may comprise a processor,memory, and/or other known controller components to facilitate thefunctionality described herein.

In an exemplary embodiment, the controller 52 may be disposed within,for example, the handle 20 of the temperature probe 10. In such anembodiment, the controller 52 may be formed substantially integral withthe temperature probe 10. For example, the handle 20 may form one ormore substantially water-tight and/or substantially hermetically sealedcompartments for storing the various components of the controller 52.Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 1, the controller 52 may be formedseparately from the temperature probe 10. In such exemplary embodiments,the controller 52 may comprise a housing that is formed separate fromthe handle 20. To facilitate communication between the temperature probe10 and the controller 52 in such embodiments, the controller 52 may beoperably connected to the temperature probe 10 via one or more wires,cables, Bluetooth, WiFi, radio, and/or other known hard-wired and/orwireless communication protocols. The controller 52 and/or thetemperature probe 10 may further include any number of ports,connectors, transponders, receivers, antennae, and/or other knowncomponents to facilitate such connectivity and/or communication. Asshown in FIG. 1, in an exemplary embodiment in which the controller 52is formed separate from the temperature probe 10, the controller 52 maycomprise a display 54 and one or more operator interfaces 56. Thedisplay 54 and operator interfaces 56 of the controller 52 may bestructurally and/or functionally similar to the display 54 and operatorinterfaces 22 of the handle 20 described herein.

The probe cover 30 may be substantially cylindrical, and may havesimilar dimensions to that of the shaft 18. For example, the probe cover30 may be incrementally longer than the shaft 18 so as to fit oversubstantially the entire shaft 18. The probe cover 30 may define anorifice 46 at a proximal end 42 thereof. Similar to the shaft 18, theprobe cover 30 may also define a substantially atraumatic tip at adistal end 40 thereof. The probe cover 30 may be formed from anymedically approved material known in the art. Such materials mayinclude, for example, plastics, polymers, and/or any of the othermaterials discussed above with regard to the temperature probe 10. Usingsuch materials may enable, for example, the probe cover 30 to berepeatedly used and/or sanitized. Alternatively, in additional exemplaryembodiments, the probe cover 30 may be configured for one-time usage.Such materials may also facilitate one or more known modifications to atleast a portion of the probe cover 30. For example, such materials mayfacilitate defining the one or more modified portions 44 describedabove.

The modified portion 44 may be shaped, sized, located, and/or otherwiseconfigured for interaction with one or more of the sensors 32, 34 of thetemperature probe 10. For example, the modified portion may extendaround substantially an entire circumference of the probe cover 30. Themodified portion may have a length that is at least as long as the lens,or other optical component 36 covering the second sensor 34.

In additional exemplary embodiments, the probe cover 30 may include oneor more additional structures to facilitate usage with, insertion on,and/or removal from the temperature probe 10. For example, while theorifice 46 may be shaped, sized, and/or otherwise configured to acceptthe shaft 18 and to mate with one or more ejector mechanisms 26 of thetemperature probe 10, in further exemplary embodiments, at least aportion of the proximal end 42 of the probe cover 30 may includeadditional notches, cutouts, tabs, ribs, flanges, and/or other retentioncomponents configured to assist in connecting the probe cover 30 toand/or disconnecting the probe cover 30 from the temperature probe 10.For example, such retention components may mate with the ejectormechanisms 26 of the temperature probe 10 to facilitate retention of theprobe cover 30 on the shaft 18 and/or ejection of the probe cover 30from the shaft 18.

As shown in FIG. 2, an exemplary temperature measurement system 100 ofthe present disclosure may include a storage container 58 and one ormore probe covers 30 disposed within the storage container 58. Such anexemplary temperature measurement system 100 may also include thetemperature probe 10 (FIG. 1) and any of its components. The storagecontainer 58 may have any shape, size, and/or other configurationconvenient for storing a plurality of probe covers 30 therein. Forexample, the storage container 58 may be substantially box shaped, andmay have a substantially rectangular, substantially square, and/orsubstantially hexagonal cross-sectional shape. Such an exemplarycross-section of the storage container 58 is illustrated in FIG. 3.

At least a portion of the storage container 58 may define one or moreopenings 60. Such exemplary openings 60 may be shaped, sized, located,and/or otherwise configured to assist in the removal of one or moreprobe covers 30 from the storage container 58. For example, such anopening 60 may be shaped and/or sized to permit passage of a probe cover30 for removal from the storage container 58. Such an opening 60 mayalso be shaped and/or sized to permit removal of only a single probecover 30 from the storage container 58 at one time. In such an exemplaryembodiment, the opening 60 may assist in retaining the remaining probecovers 30 within the storage container 58 while, at the same time,facilitating removal of a single probe cover 30 for use with thetemperature probe 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the storage container 58 may, for example, define afront 66, a back 68, and at least two sides 70, 72. In additionalexemplary embodiments, it is understood that the storage container 58may include additional sides and/or other structures depending upon, forexample, the configuration of the probe covers 30 and/or storagerequirements related to the probe covers 30. As shown in FIG. 2, anexemplary storage container 58 may also include a top 62, and a bottom64 disposed opposite the top 62. In an exemplary embodiment, the top 62may define at least a portion of the opening 60. In additional exemplaryembodiments, at least a portion of the top 62 may be removed to exposethe opening 60, and in further exemplary embodiments, substantially theentire top 62 may be removed from the storage container 58. In suchexemplary embodiments, substantially all of the probe covers 30 disposedwithin the storage container 58 may be exposed for removal.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, two or more probe covers 30 may be positionedadjacently within the storage container 58. For example, two or moresuch probe covers 30 may be substantially aligned along respectivelengths thereof within the storage container 58. In such exemplaryembodiments, a plurality of probe covers 30 may be supported by, forexample, by the bottom 64 of the storage container 58 and may bearranged to stand within the storage container 58 on the respectivedistal ends 40 thereof. In an exemplary embodiment in which the storagecontainer 58 is tipped and/or otherwise arranged to lay on the front 66,back 68, or sides 70, 72 thereof, the plurality of probe covers 30 maybe substantially stacked on top of one another and/or otherwisepositioned within the storage container 58. An example of such stackedalignment and/or adjacent positioning of the probe covers 30 isillustrated in FIG. 3.

The temperature probes 10, probe covers 30, and storage containers 58described herein may be utilized by physicians, nurses, and/or otherhealth care professionals in a variety of different environments. Forexample, the devices and/or the temperature measurement systemsdescribed herein may be employed in any of a number of examinationfacilities to determine one or more temperatures associated with apatient such as, for example, a predicted patient temperature. Such apredicted patient temperature may be utilized by the health careprofessional to assist in treating the patient, and may have a varietyof uses that are well known in the medical field.

In order to determine a predicted patient temperature according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a user of thetemperature probe 10 may insert the temperature probe 10 into a probecover 30. For example, the user may insert at least a portion of thetemperature probe 30 such as, for example, the shaft 18 into the probecover 30, via the orifice 46. In an exemplary embodiment, the probecover 30 may be disposed within a storage container 58 while the shaft18 of the temperature probe 10 is inserted into the probe cover 30. Insuch an exemplary embodiment, the probe cover 30 may be accessed throughthe opening 60 of the storage container 58 for insertion of the shaft18. In such an exemplary embodiment, the temperature probe 10 may bemoved in the direction of arrow 50 relative to the probe cover 30 forinsertion. Alternatively, in exemplary embodiments in which the probecover 30 has been removed from the storage container 58 beforeconnection with the temperature probe 10, the probe cover 30 may bemoved in the direction of arrow 48 relative to the temperature probe 10to facilitate a connection with the temperature probe 10.

As one or more of the ejector mechanisms 26 come into contact with theprobe cover 30, one or more such ejector mechanisms 26 may hook, clip,and/or otherwise mate with the proximal end 42 of the probe cover 30 toassist in retaining the probe cover 30 on the shaft 18. In exemplaryembodiments in which the proximal end 42 of the probe cover 30 definesone or more of the notches, cutouts, and/or other retention componentsdescribed above configured to mate with such ejector mechanisms 26,these components may communicate with the corresponding ejectormechanisms 26 of the temperature probe 10 to assist in retaining theprobe cover 30 thereon.

Once the probe cover 30 has been connected to the temperature probe 10,one or more of the sensors 32, 34 may be activated and/or otherwisecontrolled to sense a first temperature. Such a temperature may beindicative of for example, a temperature of the probe cover 30. In anexemplary embodiment, sensing this first temperature with thetemperature probe 10 may include sensing a temperature of the modifiedportion 44 of the probe cover 30. For example, once the temperatureprobe 10 has been inserted into the probe cover 30, one or more of thesensors 32, 34 may be disclosed in close proximity to the modifiedportion 44. For example, the modified portion 44 may be located and/orotherwise disposed at any desirable location along the outer and/orinner surface of the probe cover 30. Such a location may substantiallycoincide with a location of at least one of the sensors 32, 34 disposedon the shaft 18. In this way, the modified portion 44 may substantiallyoverlay at least one of the sensors 32, 34 when the probe cover 30 isconnected to the temperature probe 10. In an exemplary embodiment inwhich, for example, the second sensor 34 is positioned and/or otherwiseconfigured to sense the first temperature described above, the modifiedportion 44 may substantially overlay the second sensor 34 when the probecover 30 is connected to the temperature probe 10. In such an exemplaryembodiment, the second sensor 34 may sense the temperature of themodified portion 44. In such an exemplary embodiment, the second sensor34 may comprise at least one thermopile, and the modified portion 44 maybe characterized by an infrared radiation transmissivity that is lessthan, for example, an infrared radiation transmissivity of the remainderof the probe cover 30. Such a difference in transmissivity may assistthe second sensor 34 in sensing the temperature of the modified portion44.

Once the temperature probe 10 has been inserted into the probe cover 30,the temperature probe 10 and the probe cover 30 may be inserted into abody cavity of a patient to facilitate determining a predictedtemperature of the patient. For example, while within the body cavity,one or more of the sensors 32, 34 may sense a second temperature, andthe second temperature may be indicative of a temperature of the bodycavity. For example, in an embodiment in which the first sensor 32comprises a thermocouple and/or a thermistor, the first sensor 32 may beutilized to measure the temperature of the body cavity.

Signals indicative of the measured first and second temperatures may besent to the controller 52 by the first and second sensors 32, 34, andthe controller 52 may assist in calculating the predicted patienttemperature based on the first and second sensed temperatures. Forexample, knowing the temperature of the probe cover 30 may assist inaccurately determining such a predicted patient temperature. Inexemplary embodiments in which the probe cover 30 has a temperature thatis either above or below the ambient temperature of the examination roomand/or other location in which the temperature probe 10 is beingutilized, the sensed temperature of the probe cover 30 may be utilizedin the predicted patient temperature calculation to reduce error. Sucherror is commonly caused by mistakenly assuming that the probe cover 30has a temperature substantially equal to such an ambient temperaturewhen, in fact, the temperature of the probe cover 30 may besubstantially different than the ambient temperature. Such differencesin temperature may result from, for example, storing the probe cover 30at a temperature below ambient.

Additional exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may employfurther techniques to assist in reducing the error associated withcalculating the predicted patient temperature. For example, one suchmethod of predicted patient temperature determination may includeheating at least a portion of the temperature probe 10 to a knowntemperature, and calculating the predicted patient temperature based onthe first and second sensed temperatures described above, as well as theknown temperature. As described above with regard to the heater 38, theknown temperature to which a portion of the temperature probe 10 may beheated may be between approximately 90° F. and approximately 100° F. Forexample, the known temperature may be between approximately 92° F. andapproximately 93° F., and/or within any other useful temperature range.It is understood that the heater 38 may be utilized to assist in heatingthe portion of the temperature probe 10 to this known temperature.

In such exemplary embodiments, the heated portion of the temperatureprobe 38 may be located proximate the heater 38, and the heater 38 andthe corresponding portion of the temperature probe 10 to be heated maybe located within, approximately, 1 inch of the tip 16 of thetemperature probe 10. It is understood that the controller 52 or one ofthe operator interfaces 22 may operate and/or otherwise control theheater 38 to heat the portion of the temperature probe 10 to such aknown temperature, and this known temperature may provide a furthermetric and/or data point upon which the predicted patient temperaturecalculation may be based. Heating at least a portion of the temperatureprobe 10 in this way may bring the heated portion of the temperatureprobe 10 proximate the first sensor 32 to a temperature that isrelatively close to the actual core temperature of the patient. Thus,the temperature of the body cavity measured by the second sensor 34 maybe sensed more quickly since the time before the first sensor 32 reachesan equilibrium with the body cavity may be reduced. Additionally,accuracy of the predicted patient temperature calculation may beimproved by heating the portion of the temperature probe 10 in this waysince one or more algorithms utilized to, for example, extrapolatebetween the temperature sensed by the first sensor 32 and the actualtemperature of the body cavity may have a higher precision when thefirst sensor 32 is at a temperature closely approximating thetemperature of the body cavity. It is also understood that the firsttemperature indicative of the temperature of the probe cover 30 may besensed either before the portion of the probe 10 is heated to the knowntemperature, such as upon insertion of the temperature probe 10 into theprobe cover 30. Alternatively, the first temperature may be sensed whilethe portion of the temperature probe 10 is being heated to the knowntemperature discussed above.

In still further exemplary embodiments, one or more additional sensors28 may be disposed on the temperature probe 10 at a location useful fordetecting the presence of the probe cover 30. For example, such sensors28 may be disposed proximate the base 24 of the shaft 18 and configuredto detect the proximal end 42 of the probe cover 30 once the shaft 18has been inserted into the probe cover 30. In still further exemplaryembodiments, such sensors 28 may be disposed proximate the tip 16 andconfigured to detect the distal end 40 of the probe cover 30 once theshaft 18 has been inserted into the probe cover 30. In such exemplaryembodiments, the one or more sensors 28 may comprise, for example, aproximity sensor and/or any other like sensing device, and sensing thefirst temperature indicative of a temperature of the probe cover 30 maybe performed in response to detecting the presence of the probe cover 30on the shaft 18.

It is understood that in any of the exemplary embodiments describedherein, sensing the temperature indicative of the temperature of theprobe cover 30 may be facilitated by activating one or more infraredtemperature sensors of the temperature probe 10, such as one or more ofthe thermopiles described herein. In exemplary embodiments ofcalculating the predicted patient temperature, such a calculation mayinvolve calculating a difference between the first and second sensedtemperatures described above, and such a calculation may further includecalculating a difference between the second temperature and the knowntemperature to which the portion of the temperature probe 10 has beenheated.

Although the exemplary embodiments described above may utilize a firsttemperature indicative of a temperature of the probe cover 30 indetermining the predicted patient temperature, in further exemplaryembodiments, the predicted patient temperature may be determinedutilizing a sensed first temperature indicative of a temperature of thestorage container 58. In such an exemplary embodiment, a portion of thestorage container 58 may be modified so as to reduce the infraredtransmissivity of the modified portion of the storage container 58relative to a remainder of the storage container 58. For example, atleast a portion of an inner surface 74 (FIG. 3) of the storage container58 may be modified utilizing any of the methods described above withregard to the modified portion 44 of the probe cover 30. The innersurface 74 may be roughened and/or coated to assist in at leastpartially reflecting infrared radiation. In an exemplary embodiment, asubstantially black dye, paint, coating, and/or any other coating usefulin at least partially reflecting infrared radiation may be disposed onone or more such inner surfaces 74 of the storage container 58. In suchexemplary embodiments, one or more thermopiles of, for example, thesecond sensor 34 may be utilized to sense the temperature of the storagecontainer 58 upon insertion of the temperature probe 10 into the probecover 30, and while the probe cover 30 is disposed within the storagecontainer 58. In such an exemplary embodiment, the modified portion 44of the probe cover 30 may be omitted.

Forming the modified portion on one or more inner surfaces 74 of thestorage container 58 may assist in reducing the cost of producing thetemperature measurement system 100 described herein. For example, it maybe less expensive to form such a modified portion on one or more innersurfaces 74 of the storage container 58 during manufacture of thestorage container 58 than forming the modified portions 44 on each ofthe probe covers 30 individually utilized with the temperature probe 10.Thus, in an exemplary embodiment of determining a predicted patienttemperature, the first temperature sensed with, for example, the secondsensor 34 may be indicative of a temperature of the storage container58. Such an exemplary method may further include one or more of theexemplary steps described above such as, for example, sensing a secondtemperature with the temperature probe 10 indicative of a temperature ofthe body cavity, and calculating the predicted patient temperature basedon the first and second temperatures.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from consideration of the specification and practice of theinvention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification andexamples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spiritof the invention being indicated by the following claims.

1. A temperature probe, comprising: a shaft having a distal end, aproximal end, and a tip disposed at the distal end; an infrared sensorconfigured to measure a temperature of a structure disposed proximatethe shaft; and a temperature sensor disposed distal to the infraredsensor, the temperature sensor configured to measure a body cavitytemperature of a patient.
 2. The probe of claim 1, wherein the infraredsensor comprises a thermopile.
 3. The probe of claim 1, wherein thetemperature sensor is located within approximately 1 inch of the tip. 4.The probe of claim 1, wherein the infrared sensor and the temperaturesensor are operably connected to a controller.
 5. The probe of claim 4,wherein the controller is configured to activate the infrared sensor inresponse to detecting the presence of a probe cover disposed on theshaft.
 6. The probe of claim 4, further comprising a heater disposedproximate the distal end adjacent the temperature sensor, the heaterconfigured to heat the distal end to a known temperature.
 7. The probeof claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to calculate apredicted patient temperature based on the known temperature, andsignals received from the temperature sensor and the infrared sensor. 8.The probe of claim 7, wherein the signal received from the infraredsensor is indicative of a probe cover temperature.
 9. The probe of claim7, wherein the signal received from the infrared sensor is indicative ofa storage container temperature, the storage container having at leastone probe cover disposed therein, the at least one probe coverconfigured for connection with the probe.
 10. A method of determining apredicted patient temperature, comprising: inserting a temperature probeinto a probe cover; sensing a first temperature with the probeindicative of a probe cover temperature; inserting the probe and theprobe cover into a body cavity of a patient; sensing a secondtemperature with the probe indicative of a body cavity temperature; andcalculating the predicted patient temperature based on the first andsecond sensed temperatures.
 11. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising heating a portion of the probe to a desired temperature, andcalculating the predicted patient temperature based on the first andsecond sensed temperatures.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein thedesired temperature of the probe is between approximately 92 degreesFahrenheit and approximately 93 degrees Fahrenheit.
 13. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the portion of the probe is located withinapproximately 1 inch of a tip of the probe.
 14. The method of claim 11,further comprising sensing the first temperature while heating theportion of the probe.
 15. The method of claim 10, further comprisingdetecting the presence of the probe cover, and sensing the firsttemperature in response to the detecting.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein sensing the first temperature comprises activating an infraredtemperature sensor disposed near a proximal end of the probe.
 17. Themethod of claim 15, wherein sensing the first temperature comprisesactivating an infrared temperature sensor disposed near the distal endof the probe.
 18. The method of claim 10, wherein calculating thepredicted patient temperature comprises calculating a difference betweenthe first and second temperatures.
 19. The method of claim 10, whereinsensing the first temperature comprises sensing a temperature of amodified portion of the cover.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein themodified portion of the cover comprises one of a coating and a roughenedsurface.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the modified portion ischaracterized by an infrared radiation transmissivity less than aninfrared radiation transmissivity of a remainder of the probe cover. 22.A method of determining a predicted patient temperature, comprising:inserting a temperature probe into a probe cover disposed within astorage container; sensing a first temperature with the probe indicativeof a storage container temperature; inserting the probe and the probecover into a body cavity of a patient; sensing a second temperature withthe probe indicative of a body cavity temperature; and calculating thepredicted patient temperature based on the first and second sensedtemperatures.
 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising heating aportion of the probe to a desired temperature, and calculating thepredicted patient temperature based on the first and second sensedtemperatures.
 24. The method of claim 22, wherein sensing the firsttemperature comprises sensing a temperature of a modified portion of thestorage container.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the modifiedportion of the storage container comprises a coating disposed on aninner surface of the container, the coating being configured to at leastpartially emit infrared radiation.
 26. The method of claim 22, furthercomprising detecting the presence of the probe cover on the probe, andsensing the first temperature in response to the detecting.
 27. Themethod of claim 22, wherein sensing the first temperature comprisesactivating an infrared temperature sensor disposed near a proximal endof the probe.